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Marie Wirth, Bethel Island, CA, US member

I grew up junking with my mom and my aunt over 40 years ago. I was 10 when I started spending my weekends digging through second hand stores looking for that one great treasure to take home. We got used to the teasing wed get at dinner that night over the rediculous things we'd brought home this time. Both my mom and aunt are gone now, but I still go junkin every chance I get, and I always, always think of them when I find the perfect thing! They would be so proud!!
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Any time an old pair of jeans finally bites the dust, I save all the pockets and any part of the denim that can be recycled and used in another project. Most of my friends now save theirs for me too...

I COULDN'T let all the little scraps of glass go to waste, so I made a couple of sun catchers. Years ago these little pieces would have been swept immediately into the garbage, but not today! MY, how...

A roof leak in my workshop forced me to go through some boxes of my grown son's stuff being stored in a back closet. I found his key collection from when he was a child! I decided to use one of them...

My son taught himself the art of wood turning and these were a couple of pieces that he tossed in the scrap pile because he didn't like the way they turned out. I, on the other hand, snapped them up...

I found this old silver plated pitcher at a thrift store this weekend for $2. By some people's standard (CERTAINLY not mine!) it was pretty sad looking. It was tarnished, scratched and blotchy - all...

Digging through the kitchen stuff a Goodwill, I found this broiler pan (I think!). I loved the round holes in it and grabbed it for 99cents. I knew it would make a great earring holder. I am SO over...

A friend's of mine's elderly father passed away recently, leaving behind a house with 80 years of "junk"! The front yard was piled high with stuff they wanted to throw away, so of course she asked if...

I buy old wool sweaters and blankets, and hand felt them by washing them in very hot water, and then drying in the dryer. This causes the knitted wool to become extremely tight wool felt. From there...

SO sweet! My boys are grown, but I now have 2 little grandsons and another on the way, so I KNOW how special those hand made gifts are, especially from our rough and tumble little boys! Kudos to him, and to you for raising such a wonderful little guy! Marie

I had better pictures and lots of description but I could NOT get anything to save - LOTS of trouble posting right now! Don't know if it's just me or what, but I finally gave up and this is all it would let me save!! :{ Marie

Awesome! The graphics on the sign are so cool and it's in such good shape. I hit a lot of estate sales out here in CA but I NEVER find anything like this sign! (One on Sunday was selling antique coffins (!!!) but no beer signs!!) LOVE this! Marie

Shoot, wish I lived nearby, I LOVE a wood challenge! There are color tinted stains too, that might be fun to try. It's hard to tell just from a picture, but I do think that if you tried a clear poly coat it might even it up quite a bit. It's such a cute little desk! Sounds like the wood has been so over treated with layers and layers of finish, that the wood cant absorb anything more. That's probably why stain isn't working. Good luck with it! Marie

Such a treat to get a peek into your past. Obviously You have always been amazingly talented and it is inspirational to see how your talent has evolved. I am realizing my lifelong dream of having my own store which will open on July 1st. I retired from teaching June 2 and June 3 began painting and renovating our new space! As they say, when one door CLOSES, another one opens! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

It looks GREAT! I just aquired 2 of these and they are also in the absolute worst condition. They were left out in the weather and the wood is such a mess, seat is cracked in half, brass is rusty, and I am DREADING working on them with all the carved legs. I start and walk away too! I'm trying to get inspired by yours...really trying! Thanks for sharing! Marie

SO beautiful! I LOVE every little piece of it! I just finished buying a u haul load of stuff from an estate sale last weekend and can hardly sleep knowing that I have literally a storage unit full of treasures to go through! Thanks for the inspiring ideas for displaying! Marie

OH MY GOSH, this is so incredible! Absolutely amazing!! What wonderful people to just give you such a gift! I KNOW you will do them proud and I can't wait to see what you make of it! I will be anxiously awaiting pictures! Wow, wow, wow!! Marie

LOVE chalkboard paint but I didn't know it came tintable! Gotta check that out! Your dustpan message center is so clever, as always! Thanks for sharing, I bet they will be turning up all over Junkmarket-land! Marie

SO Cute! I love that turquoise, I just cleaned up some really old vintage theater seats from a local theater that are that same color! It makes such a bright statement in contrast to the white! That truck is adorable! Great ideas! Marie

It looks like the largest one might make a wonderful clock face. The hole is already there for the clockworks to fit through. Love the cloche base idea too. would small bowls or plates fit in them for use a serving pieces, with maybe toothpicks in the small one? Hard to tell without seeing them in person, but they probably have many possibilities. Good luck, and I hope you show us what you come up with! Marie

One more thing - that Donald Duck projector would go for pretty good money in our shop! We have toy collectors coming in all the time and they'd be fighting over that one! Anything Disney or old cartoon related flys out the door! Marie
PS The "Vicki" I referred to in my other comment was Art Teacher Girl! She and I could do some dammage on a shopping trip together!! :)

Shoot Vicki, I wish you were coming to California! We could shop your socks off! I know every thrift store, scrap yard, and recycled building materials yard within 75 miles of my house! We could do some damage! We are going to go hit some salvage yards this weekend in Oakland - wish you were here!! Marie

The old drawer front is the perfect serving tray and your friends are going to LOVE it!! And those ice cream dishes--Wow! We are huge ice cream lovers - those are the coolest thing ever! No pun intended!! Marie

I can only imagine how awful it is to lose everything to flood water. We live on a river in a flood plain too and our house is also up in the air! We have a pole house which puts the main level up above flood level - 9 feet! That means 22 steps to get up the the main level, but we sleep sound at night knowing we are safe! (I DID hate those stairs recently when I had BOTH knees replaced though!!) We will all wait to see what renovations you do! Good luck! Marie

What a great find! Kudos to your husband! I would love to know your secret...I don't think mine will ever become a convert! He still asks the same question every time I come home with a load - "What the heck are you gonna do with THAT??" :) Marie

Oh wow, the cat is DEFINITELY my favorite! I love it! Scary how alike our tastes are! I will have to post the pelican that I did hanging in my stairwell and you will see that quirky is one of my adjectives too! The thing with the holes is SO cool, what a great conversation piece! LOVE your stuff! Marie

I'd be one of those who says absolutely don't remove the rust! I would just seal it with a clear exterior sealer and there it would be! Of course, I can't wait to see what you do with it, because I never cease to be amazed at the creativity of everyone here!! Marie

I absolutely love this! What a beautiful job you did on it, it's so cool! I hurt my back several years back and while I was off recouperating from back surgery, I became hopelessly bored and mosaic tiled my entire picnic table! I swear, we could do some damage if we lived closer to each other!! :) Throw Midge in with us and oh my goodness!! I still think we should be planning a huge Junkmarket Style get together so we could all meet! Can you even imagine?!! Marie

Oh my goodness Kathy, what an incredible collection of summer goodies you have! So beautifully done, so fun to look at (over and over), you are so talented! I especially loved the little purse, that is the coolest thing ever!! Thanks for giving us a peek! Marie

I LOVE this!! Gives me a wonderful idea for the dozens of huge old table saw blades that I have from my late husband's woodworking shop! Hmmmm...Thanks for sharing this creative "spin" on blades!! Marie

Great minds think alike!! How funny is it that I just bought some of these same guards at Home Depot last week! It was the first time I'd seen them and they are perfect for little outdoor plants! Because they're galvanized, the do have to be de-shined though. Thanks for sharing yours! Marie

I totally get it! I get excited everytime I go out into my workshop and see the big roll of burlap that I found way in the back of a storage closet. Probably been there 20 years but when I found it you would have thought I's won the lotto! It's the little things in life... Marie

I use a product called Howards. You can get it an any hardware store. First sand very lightly, then apply it with steel wool (0000) and leave on a few minutes, then wipe with a cloth. No stripping, scraping, chemicals, it's AWESOME stuff. I have used it for years on everything. There is a Howards wax and feed that can be applied afterwards too which I use on all my wood instead of furniture polish and it lasts for months. Howards comes in 3 different shades. It doesn't strip, just removes all the dirt and grime and makes the scratches disappear! Amazing stuff! I didn't sand the legs AT ALL, just used the stuff and steel wool! Try it and you'll be hooked!! (NO, I don't get a check from the company!!) :)

Laurel, this is one of my favorite posts of yours ever! These are so beautifully done, with so much thought put into each one. The use of the old frame parts, hair ponies - just too clever! Amazing post, I love it! Marie

Ooooh La La, I love these! I swear, we must be twins separated at birth! That's right up my alley! And, a dancing art teacher too! Doesn't get any better than that! My class has been doing hip hop for PE and I'm known to burst into song in class on a moments notice! I love your necklaces, so keep up the great work! Marie

These are SO COOL! I absolutely love them! I am so thrilled for you! I know you said that you've been wanting to do this for a long time and now it's finally happening! My guess is that these will be a HUGE hit! They are wonderful! I'm wishing you tons of good luck! Marie

Those are so cool! They make perfect hangers for art! But...I would have loved to see pics of them strapped to your boots while doing a little pole climbing!! Just skip the electrocuting part! Too funny! Marie

Those squirrels...so cute but what a pain they are! They devour all the plants I love most and torture my poor dogs by running up and down the fence line knowing they can't get to them! Good solution for your birdhouse, hope it works! They will probably mutate and develop stronger teeth eventually...
Marie

What a wonderful, creative planter! I think I could have looked at these seperate pieces all day and never come up with this - It's so cute! Putting that fern in it just made it come alive! LOVE it! Marie

laurel, that disc (or whatever it's called!!) looks beautiful against the crisp white background! My son grabbed several of them off his in-law's farm knowing that I'd love them! ! I'm so glad you like it too! Marie

Goodness! An architectual salvage place like this could be very dangerous! We used to have a great one not too far from me called Sunrise Salvage, but they're gone...Sad. It's probably a good thing that I'm MANY states away! Marie

I have to tell you that I think your work is absolutely amazing! Each lamp that you do is a piece of art in itself, and then the story that each one tells is just genius! I hope your work takes off, because it is wonderful!

RustyDiva, I KNOW you love that rust too! We would probably have a HARD time shopping together! I'm in California, so we only really have a month or two that we aren't pretty green. Right now, that's about the ONLY good thing about living here!! :)

I can't believe how FAST you came up with this idea! Using it as a planter is so clever! Way to go! I loved getting our junk boxes in the mail, but coming up with creations isn't always easy! Nice work! Marie

Melody, All I did was use old lamp parts. I had one of those free standing light bulb holders - just a ceramic base with a cord - then bought a small clear bulb and the toaster just sits on top perfectly. I will add a picture of it! It isn't pretty - no one can see it! :) Marie

LOVE half man! Hey, a half man is better than no man at all! :) It looks so cool in your yard! What a great friend you have! I also have bowling ball gazing balls in my yard and LOVE them because we get incredible wind here and there aint no way these are going to blow away! Marie

So beautiful! I love the paper garland - so creative! What a wonderful space you've created! It's torture seeing all these great places to shop...and not being able to! Wouldn't time travel be a really good thing right now?? Marie

Gretchen, this is beautiful, as always! You are so talented, and it is so exciting each time you post to see what that amazingly creative head of yours comes up with next! LOVE this one, and can't wait to see the next creation! Marie

How exciting!! I haven't mailed mine off yet, I'm still adding to it! Why oh why do I have to LOVE the stuff that weighs a ton!? (Good Luck Laurel when it arrives!) Your stuff is fabulous! It must be like Christmas!! Wonder what you'll do with some of it?? Marie

OH WOW!!! I bet every single one of us is wishing we could get our hads on some of these! What an incredible find! Possibilities are endless! Somebody could make a fortune if the reproduced these and put them on the market again!! Lucky, lucky you!! Marie

Cute! We - I mean my friends used to do the one about asking if their refrigerator was running. When they said yes, we- I mean they - used to say "well you better catch it", then hang up. Shame on them. Really, shame, shame, shame. :)

I absolutely LOVE this! It may be the teacher in me, but these are the kind of projects I love seeing children come up with! Totally creative, outside the box, and FUN! I love that you helped, but that she was free to create! That's my idea of a home project! SO COOL! Marie

This is Such a perfect example of how creative you are! You totally had to step outside the "box" literally and see this as something that it could be! It's beautiful! And I also agree, "junking" has now become the latest and greatest, which I guess is good! But for those of us who have been doing it forever, and are totally committed (or maybe should be!!) it has made it difficult to get our fix!! Anyway, I think this is amazing! Marie

Oh my gosh Jenny, you just made my entire day! If you ever get to Chico, they have the most amazing scrap yard! Well organized and VERY reasonable! Right off hwy99. I kept thinking that you would LOVE this one while I was digging around! LOTS of big pieces like the cool mirror project you did! Had I known she wasn't going to weigh me, I would have grabbed more! Going back in March! Marie

I always LOVE your posts and look forward to seeing what creative thing you've come up with for your beautiful glass! I can't imagine how wonderful it must be to take a walk on the beach whenever you want and find such beautiful treasure! You are so lucky! Marie

Starla, These were actually my son's key collection from when he was about 8, and he is now 30! I do see them all the time though in antique stores and at flea markets. And actually they have reproductions of old skeleton keys at Home Depot! i just saw them there this weekend in the key making area. Wish I could be more helpful! Marie

Lamp, definitely, a table would be the most common choice, but I vote for something different! Go for the lamp! I'd have to do something with stained glass right now... I can see that in a window...I think I have an old sewing machine base in the shop...better go look! Can't wait to see what you come up with!! It's kinda like Christmas!! Marie

Of course I Love your lamp, but the video - What a crack up! I wonder if it was lung or skin cancer that got him first?! And wasn't the front door to the building amazing!? Wonder what happened to it! Thanks for sharing all of this with us! It's just what my Friday needed!! Marie

How many times have I looked at this picture and I can't believe I haven't left a comment!! It's totally cool! I've been wanting one for my deck like this ever since I saw the one in Sue's book! I have the Glass top and access to the metal barrels, but I just haven't gotten it together yet. SOMEDAY...I LOVE YOURS! Marie!

Hmmmm, I think I know where you should go looking...The "warehouse" is in Minnesota...belongs to someone who's name begins with an S...I think she beat us to them all! It's a gorgeous clock Sue, it really is! The fact that it actually tells time is just icing on the cake! Marie

Oh my gosh, this is SO cute! You DO come by it naturally! you two must have been THE hit of the bike parade!! Thanks so much for sharing this, and as for those pants, I think I had the same ones on in a picture my friend posted on facebook of us in high school! At least you weren't old enough to have actually bought them yourself!!

Amazing, amazing, amazing! The paint job is so cool, and must have taken hours and hours...you are such an artist. As always Jim, it's absolutely wonderful! Next to the copper table, this is my favorite! (Ha! for now!!) Marie

Very Cute! I'm with you, no jar ever goes to waste here either! I use them in my work shop to organize nuts, bolts, etc. and in my craft room for everything from buttons to embroidery thread! At school the plastic ones hold game markers, counters, and crayons! LOVE yours!! Marie

I so remember! We had them and I used to be the one who put the S & H Green stamps in the books to get the stuff! Too funny! I love what you did with yours, what a great idea! Thanks for the little blast from the past! Marie

I love your collection, it unique and fun! That's what collecting is all about, find that one thing that makes you smile and go for it! The thrill of the hunt is what it's all about! Yours is off to a wonderful start! I hope you continue to show us as it grows! Marie

So beautiful! I love the pieces the most that do have the cracks and nicks! You are so right, that's what gives it all it's character. When I look at them I can't help but wonder who held it, and what it once held. Gorgeous stuff! Marie

This in one of your best pieces ever. What an amazing frame holder it is and of course the beautiful picture of your daughter makes it even more so. If her grandmother doesn't love it, let me know! I'll gladly pay the shipping...
Marie :)

It's beautiful! I do the same thing and also have a garage full of painted furniture! I just do it cause it's fun and relaxing! It drives my husband crazy too! Too funny to hear that there is someone else out there like me!! Yea for us!! Marie

Patti - the lampshade in the last pic was originally one of those old cane lampshades left over from the 70's! I took the brown ugly wicker caneing off and then used fabric scrap strips about 1 1/2 inches wide, knotted (you could sew, but knotting is easier!) together, then woven in and out of the wire lamp skeleton. push them tightly together and keep going until it's filled. Done!

Breathtakingly beautiful! you, Lani and Alice have done an amazing job of bringing such an unexpected piece into your decor! It certainly makes us all look at an old fish tank in a whole new way! I think I have one packed away at school, hmmm....
Marie

Too funny! We live at the end of a mile long road that has nothing but wetlands until our street, and someone keeps coming halfway down the road at night dumping loads of stuff on the side of the road! Everyone is so angry about it because it really looks awful, and I agree - except that secretly (well, not anymore!) I get a little excited each time it happens! I'm usually the first one to see it on my way to work, and of course I HAVE to stop and check it out! Got some great table legs and a nice rusty bicycle wheel this morning! Shame on me...
Marie

Congrtulations Laurel! We always LOVE your posts so it is absolutely no surprise that you now have contributor status! I always look forward to whatever you have to share with us and this one is no exception! What a great way to get those pictures off the shelves and mantle! LOVE it! Marie

This is amazing! I have such a thing for copper, and this is by far the most beautiful table I've ever seen. My house is full of copper, including my kitchen sink and I gotta tell ya, this would look mighty fine in my house! This is by far my favorite project of yours ever (well, so far!). It's just plain awesome! Also Jim, thanks so much for the kind words on my rolling cart project. It meant SO much to me - especially because it came from you! We all consider you to be the "jumkmaster"! Marie

SO, SO true Jenny! Alice, I love seeing your smiling face and hearing your words of encouragement! You are wonderful, and so deserve to be one of the best of 2009! Each time I read this post, I have to laugh at the mental picture of you both trying to dismantle a farm house with a pocket knife!! Congrats on a job well done! Marie

This is SO cool! What I wouldn't give for a pantry let alone a fabulous door like this!! I just this weekend braved the mitre saw myself! It was MUCH easier than I thought! Just get some practice pieces and jump in! Marie

Absolutely beautiful! What an undertaking! There is a house in the town of Chico, CA that has the entire front and one side of their house completely mosaic tiled! Next time I'm there I will try to get a pic, it's pretty amazing! I love what you've done to your backsplash though, it is a work of art for sure! If it stops raining soon, I will get a picture of my outdoor picnic table that i mosaic tiled! It looks like we have very similar taste! LOVE YOURS!! Marie

How on earth I missed this the first time around I don't know, but wow, this is amazing! It is absolutely beautiful! What a save! My dad was a commercial scale mechanic so I have a thing for beautiful old scales, and this one IS wonderful! Marie

So cute! I love it all! I remember one Christmas when we had new carpet installed on Christmas Eve day! We covered the pantry door with butcher paper since we couldn't put up a real tree. I drew the Christmas tree and let my kids decorate it with their artwork! It was So much fun! Sometimes when the need arises, you just have to punt! Marie

Your place looks beautiful! I'm so glad you get to sit back and enjoy it all! You're right, 2009 has been so much fun here, and I can hardly wait to see what everyone comes up with in 2010! Have the merriest Christmas ever! Marie

Fun! I remember most of it from my youth! I guess I'm dating myself...but I loved hanging the tinsel 1 strand at a time per my mom's specific instructions! Our trees were silvery works of art! I'd never have the patience now! Marie

Bless his little heart! And hugs to you for surviving what must be one of the most painful things for a mother to endure - feeling helpless while your child fights such a battle. What a wonderful thing to celebrate! Know that we ALL share in your joy! Marie

This is the coolest tree EVER! I have never seen anything like it! I think we all have rusty old pedal car envy too! And - I have to agree with you - NONE of us should ever ride ours in front of Gailmarie's mom! Ever. Wow! Wonder what she thought she said??! Marie

Believe it or not, I have an old sled - even though I live in California! Guess I should get it out and do something fun with it since where I am it will NEVER get used in the snow...Thanks for the great idea! Marie

You crack me up!! That is hilarious! "I Only want the best for my family and friends!!" I love the red container though and don't care what USED to be in it! It looks great and that's all that matters!! Just glad you didn't use it for a punch bowl or something! That could have been a little un-nerving!! Marie

Oh wow, I LOVE this! I have a couple of the galvanized tubs and I never thought to do this with them!! What a GREAT idea! Very, very cool! Course I DON"T have the legs or glass, but now I have something new to go looking for...Not that any of us need an excuse to go junking! Thanks for sharing Midge, this is really cool! Marie

What a welcoming porch, who wouldn't feel at home there?! I hope your Day is wonderful! I agree, we are so lucky to live in this great country, to be free, and safe. This truly is a day to count those blessings, be with family and friends, and really think about how lucky we are! Have a great day! Marie

I LOVE this! That workbench top looks mighty familiar!! Have a Great day, and of course, thank you for sharing your talent with all of us, we all look forward to your posts! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Marie

I love your halloween tree, it's too cute! I also LOVE your Corgie Fairy in your profile picture! I also have a corgi and just love him to death! Yours is adorable! Tried dressing mine up one Halloween and he bucked like a bronco until he got it off! OH WELL!! Wont' do that again... Welcome to Junkmarket! Marie

Gailmarie, I'm just trying to keep you on your toes!! :) I agree with you, there are all kinds of seasonal things that I could do with this! I just got some cool fall leaf garland that I am going to try for now, and then I love the greens with bulbs idea! Thanks! And as for that snow -I love it as long as I'm inside looking out! Californians can barely drive in rain, imagine what a mess we could make with snow!?? Guess I'll stick to the stuff in the can...

Adorable! I also make something similar, only mine are called "Memory Elephants". I Chose them because I collect them, but also because of the idea that an elephant never forgets! Your bears are absolutely beautiful, and because I KNOW how much work is involved in them, whatever you charge for them is NOT enough!! Thanks for sharing with us!

HA! Would have loved to see how you talked your way out of that, especially since you were caught red handed! Hilarious! I really LOVE the box of letters though, and it would have been worth a trip to the "big house"! Marie

Very Cute! Lucky you to have a daughter who also loves vintage things! I am crazy about my daughters in law, but they are definitely not into vintage anything! DARN!! Welcome aboard! Can't wait to see more!! Marie

This looks good enough to eat, for sure! I LOVE the gear bowl, what an amazing score!! If it's any consolation Sue, we don't have 4 ft. of snow, but it's pouring rain, our power was out for 6 hours, and there are trees down everywhere here in sunny California! We apparently only have 2 seasons here now, summer and then immediately into winter. Spring and fall just don't happen anymore!! SO, I do feel your pain... Marie!

Thank you all for your kind words! I was hesitant to even share this because I thought it might be a little to "junky", if that's possible! My husband and kids just shake their heads every time I come up with something I think is cool, so I never know what to think! But you all made me feel so good! I love being here with other people who just get it like I do!! Thanks!!

Rocky ROCKS! He has great taste! The red metal box is really wonderful, I'm kind of a rusty metal lover myself! Thanks for sharing and of course, welcome to the absolute best site there is, you'll love it here! Marie

PIeces of the past, I got one of mine on ebay for 30$. Have you checked there? Joann fabric has new ones - wait for a 50% off coupon and it isn't too pricey. In shops they cost an arm and a leg!! Marie

What a fun table! I also have lots of this kind of artwork mixed in with my stuff at home, so I am very partial to this wild kind of art! It's fabulous, I LOVE it! Amazing to look at, but just as much fun to create! Can't wait to see more! Marie

Oh wow, this is right up my ally! I love, love. love it! It's perfect for potting or partying! I also love the little piece right next to it, that's a cool piece too! I'm guessing you have been really busy, but we have all missed your posts! This one is wonderful!! Marie

Oh my gosh I LOVE these! I'd love one to use as my water bottle at work! Nothing worse that trying to figure out which one at the lunch table is yours, giving up and having to do without! Wouldn't happen with these! What a great idea! Very, very creative idea! Marie

Lakelover69 - I'm with you - I ALWAYS worry about lead contamination, which is why I ALWAYs seal everything with several coats of clear varithane or poly before I ever use or display. I know that some really prefer the natural old look, as do I, but I can't risk inadvertantly making anyone sick. ESPECIALLY my precious little grandkids!

This is SO cool! I've been looking for something like this for my stairwell and have had NO luck, and you have found the perfect piece! It is really, really beautiful and I love all your goodies that make it so special! This is seriously spectacular! Marie

Rusty Diva, we could have a GOOD time! There's plenty of rust to go around, and to have a partner in crime would be SO much fun! Then the guys at the scrap yard could make fun of you too! And of course if it isn't rusty when I find it, out in the yard it goes to be watered until it is!! Wish we lived closer, that's for sure!!

That's awesome! We once got to do that with an old church that was being torn down to make room for condos. We did all of our kitchen cabinets and a breakfast nook out of the lumber. We just used a grinder to bring up the grain and take off the grime and then sealed it. It was really beautiful! Lucky you! Marie

GEORGOUS stuff! Wow, you are a very talented group! I love the beautiful little hand mirrors and the print of "Rosa" - What a transformation! Thanks for sharing your amazing creations, I SO wish I could have been there!! Amazing work! Marie

Ahhh, great minds!!! I also planted one of my son;s boots! It sits on my front porch full of asparagas fern! He left them here just a little too long, and VIOLA! It became a planter! Love yours!!! Marie

These are wonderful! I have several too that I've put together, and always get lots of compliments! I love all of yours and would hate to have to pick just one favorite!! Thanks so much for sharing them with us!! Marie

Ya know what? You guys have just a little too much fun back there without the rest of us who live a million miles away! Thank goodness you let us live vicariously through your posts and blogs! Looks like SO much fun!! Marie

I love the show and tell idea! We could also bring one thing to give, and maybe draw names. I am just so excited that it's going to happen! Too soon to start packing??! Just kidding of course - kinda!! Marie

I'm a birdhouse lover too and had to smile when you talked about the wasps living in them! We have a huge wasp population here too and I always have to close up the opening for that same reason!! LOVE your collection! Marie

This is really a wonderful find, and the fact that he just tacked in on is great in case you do change your mind and make it a table! Sounds like you have a great place to shop! I love all your treasures!! Marie

I really like this! I am working on one (from a baby crib) to hang in the window of my workroom. I'm hoping it will work as a sort of privacy screen and catch all hanger for pictures, etc. just as yours does! Love that yours holds brushes too! Very cool as usual!! Marie

What a wonderful post Sue! Friends have to be the best gift ever, all by themselves! I suggested the Junkers Reunion, and I was really serious! I'd go anywhere to make it happen! I'm so excited to think that it actually might! I may not sleep again until it becomes a reality!! YIPPEE!

In response to RickE1, I can appreciate your point of view as a collector, but as an avid quilter, it made much more sense to me to take the machine off a dusty, dirty shelf in my workshop and turn it into something useful. With the exception of drilling a small hole inside the machine where it is completely unseen, the beauty of this georgeous machine has been unharmed. AND, it's inside, in my studio workspace where I can look at it and enjoy it's beauty every single day! As for the actual value of the machine, I only paid $15 dollars for it originally on Ebay, and I see them on there all the time, so I'm hoping that I didn't actually negatively impact that part of it. It was listed as a machine head-no motor. I definitely do appreciate your concern as a collector though, and I hope this helps explain why I chose to do what I did!

Must have been an overall great weekend to shop, because I found this cool rusty old metal, rolling, three drawered toolchest for only 5 dollars! Can't wait to start working on it! Yea for all of us!! Can't wait to see the curtains up, and I LOVE the Christmas dish cloth too! Marie

It's 6:30 am and what a great way to start a day - laughing! You are hilarious! I've never seen anything like this, it's wonderful to look at, but your step-by-step is even better! Now I also have an uncontrolable urge for a drink with an umbrella in it!! Thanks for sharing!! Marie

I have an indoor 400sq. ft. room where I do inside stuff- sewing, decopage, painting, woodburning. Then we have a huge shop outside that is a total disaster because it's full to the brim with dirty outside junk! That's where my saws, power tools, soldering stuff is found. Someday I'd like to really organize it, but it would be a mammoth undertaking! I have just one organized little corner, the rest is a mess!! I can't wait to check out some of the sites people are recommending! Good luck with your space. The thing is, stuff just keeps growing...there is never enough room! Marie

It pays to look down when you're walking! This is really cool, and Joanne is right, it does look like an angel now. I really have no idea what it is, but it looks kinda like those pins that you squeeze together and put in something and then becomes a loop to connect one thing to something else. OK, that makes very little sense, even to me so I"ll stop now before I completely convince everyone out there that I'm a complete idiot! I will just quietly wait with everyone else until Wednesday!! Marie :)

That is really cool! I have several signs too, but NEVER thought about a table top! Now that you've done it, it seems like such a no brainer...Hmmm, what does that say about me?? Thanks for the great idea! Marie

My best friend Charlie and I have lots of those work days and they are absolutely the best days ever! I love your wreaths but love even more the fact that you take the time with good friends to make them! Thanks for sharing them with us, and I hope to see lots more of your joint efforts! Marie

I was so glad to see this post and your idea for filling it. I have my 30 year old son's Antique French iron crib that I want to do something with. I cant decide whether to make it a bench or plant it. I was trying to think of the best way to fill it, and love your idea. I'm recovering from knee surgery, but as soon as I can I want to get going on it! Thanks for sharing yours, it's beautiful! I love your posts and always look forward to them! Marie

Oohh, good stuff! I love those drawers! Bad time to have the trailer out of town!!! That must have been so much fun though! I love it when great junk comes at you for free! I'm excited to see what you do with some of it! Thanks for sharing!! Marie

I really like these, especially the dark red color! What a great find! I hope you show us how they look when they're actually framing your art. Welcome, and I know we'll see lots more from you - this site is addicting!! Marie

We are all in the same place, so you certainly never need to apologize! We are all hooked on junk, and I love seeing what everyone else has to offer! Go ahead, post away! I think it would be amazing to have a big ole junk Market convention so we could all get together! I'd LOVE that!!

This is really cute! Having made 2 of the pot ladies for my yard, I whole heartedly agree that they are NOT easy, and are in fact a ton of work! Worth it when you're done, but still they take hours to make! I love your kitty though!! Marie

Wow! I did the same thing with my 30 year old sons antique baby bed! It's off being repaired, just needs a little structural welding repair. When I get it back I'll post it! Once again, great minds must think alike!! I Love yours, it's beautiful!

Most digital cameras, unless they are really old, do have a resize option. You may have to hunt for it, but it's there somewhere!! If you set it for email size or web post size, then they automatically work for posting. If you have microsoft there is an option where you go to edit photos and you can resize there too. It's all so confusing and depends on your camera and computer! Uggg. Why can't it be easy!! Take your camera to someplace like BEST BUY or any camera shop and ask them to see if you have it! Good luck!!

This is really cool! Another amazing lamp, they just keep coming!! I am also a big fan of old cans of all sizes and shapes! I am actually working now on one that I'm going to use as my address in front of my house. The fire department has asked us all to make our numbers more visable so I think mine will be now! I will post when it's done. Thanks for sharing another wonderful lamp with us! Marie

Wow, that's awful. I So agree. If they just put a fraction of their energy into being productive, moral human beings they could make this a much better place to be! I'm so sorry that this happened to you! Marie

This is what life is all about! My husband works tirelessly for Habitat for Humanity as a project site manager. If we didn't have people like you (and him!) this world would be a little less bright. Thanks for sharing this with everyone, it's wonderful!

It's fabulous! Good for you for hanging in there, because it was definitely worth it! What an accomplishment, we're all proud of you!! I might have thrown it all in the trash on pick up day out of frustration!! Lucky you having someone to bounce ideas off!! That had to help!! Love it!! Marie

I agree with Amy, it will make me look at old globes in a new way...especially since I'm a teacher, and we all know how fast globes become obsolete! I watch them get tossed on a regular basis!! Not anymore!! Thanks! Marie

I had always hoped that one of my children would opt for a wedding here at home, but no such luck! Yours looks fabulous! I love the door as a backdrop for the photos, and your table setting looks so beautiful. What a wonderful day it must have been! Nice work!! Marie

This is cool! I definitely agree with Midge, I can see it used to display pictures or art work. But I also Sew, so I could see it as a storage place for ribbon, beads, etc. It looks like the hooks are staggered, so maybe a coat tree in a mudroom or entryway, or in the back of a closet to organize and hang purses? Outside by a potting shed to store clay pots or garden tools. Of course it would look even better once it's rusted up a bit, but wow, it has lots of potential! Don't throw it away! :)

Crocheting it up takes very little time, it goes very quickly because it's just one stitch over and over! I wanted mine tight so it's a single crochet, a double would make it much looser with larger holes. The time consuming part is sewing or tying all the strips together! I used a rotary cutter to cut scraps into about 1 to 1 1/2 in strips, then when I felt like it, I sat at my machine and quickly sewed the strips together. If not, I tied them with a simple knot and then when it was done, I went back and cut off all the little tails. I just worked on it when I was sitting watching TV or in waiting rooms at the dentist, etc. so I can't really say how long it took. I thought it went quickly. I will definitely try another one! Thanks for asking! Marie

Wow. Those are absolutely wonderful. I've never seen anything like it, amazing! Thank you so much for sharing, especially today! The flea market is rained out, I'm feeling like a disappointed little kid, and this was like a breath of fresh air! Thanks! Marie

NO definitely not creepy, she's fabulous! It's raining out here now or I would snap a picture of my "pot lady" on my back deck! I just know she and yours would be best of friends!! And, I just made a scare crow lady with my class at school for our 3rd grade garden and I think she'd fit right in too! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her! And isn't a SILENT partner really the best partner of all!! Who could ask for more!?! Marie

Very, very cute, I love it! Oh boy, I can't wait to see other people's junk chimes, what a great idea to share! I will take pictures of some of mine when I get home today! Is this place the best or what?? Marie

I love the "A", it definitely gets an A! I actually really LOVE the idea that we could kind of watch for things that we know someone might be looking for. It would be like having shopping buddies all across the country! There could be something BIG here!! I'm going to the huge Antique flea Market in Alameda, CA. this Sunday - Can't wait!! Anyone searching for a hard to find item?? Let me know!! Marie

They are cute! Hail in Texas and horrible wind here in California! But the pipe in the ground is a good idea, they might just stand up to the wind! I think they are wonderful! I have a couple similar in my yard but they are made of old pottery pieces stacked and glued! These catch the light beautifully I bet! Marie

Junkmama, you have a welder hubby!? You lucky girl! I feel fortunate that my son welds, but he's 2 1/2 hrs. away! He's probably glad, because if he were closer, I'd be over there every day with a new project!!

These are wonderful, what an amazing find they were. They are so beautifully ornate, but at the same time have that heavy rusted metal look that I love. I definitely have frame envy for sure! I LOVE these! Marie

I love the calendar page you chose! I actually have a poster of it hanging on my wall at school! I guess great minds think alike! The desk turned out beautifully and I can't believe you got it for only 5 dollars! What a steal! Marie

I so agree with Alice! I never really minded being called "quirky", or having my junk style taste called "interesting" followed by an eye roll! But now that it's become trendy, I can do a little smirking myself! It's so nice to have a place to share ideas and have them be appreciated! Thanks! Marie

It really is fun to see where everyone else creates. Makes me feel a lot more normal! I have a workshop outside for dirty work and a huge room inside for "clean" work. Not very organized because I always have a dozen things going on at once, but I know where everything is and I guess that's all that really matters!

Oh my gosh,I love you alien guy, he is so cute! If you're anything like me, it's good that you took that picture of your workbench all tidied up. I can't even remember when mine looked remotely presentable!

LOVE these! I also made one for my cell phone and to keep credit cards and gift cards in so I always know where they are! And of course my sunglasses needed one, and everyone I know's sunglasses...and every denim shirt I own has been felted...It truly is an addiction!Yours are just too cute!

I've been loving your stuff pennyheaven, it's amazing! And I agree, it's an addiction! I can spot a wool sweater from the door of a goodwill store, and have to fight to keep from running to grab it! Sad, but true...